Harry's Twin - Book One // Complete // Editing

Anything is possible, Harry!

Harry and I had never travelled to London before. Hagrid seemed to have - but apparently not in the way we're used to. Harry had to help him out of the ticket barrier in the Underground. He and I have to sit across from Hagrid on the train, because he's too large for the seats. The entire journey was filled with small comments about how small the seats were and about how the trains were much to slow to be practical.

"How do yehs live without magic?" Hagrid huffs, stepping onto a escalator. It happens to be broken down that way, reinforcing the idea that we live odd lives without magic. "Yeh can't even use a simple repair spell to get this going again."

Harry glances at me, with a look saying 'he's insane.' I stifle a giggle and step on behind the giant. We climb the stairs and head upwards towards a street lined with shops.

Hagrid was huge compared to the masses of people on the street. Despite the large number of people, Hagrid split them easily, allowing Harry and I to follow in the cleared path. We pass all kinds of stores. Music stores, book stores, cinemas, everything. Everything except for a store that looks like a magic wand could be sold there. We pass person after person, store after store - all this is is an ordinary street with ordinary people. Is the magic world underground? Are we walking on wizard's gold right now? Will there be stores that really sell books about spells and ingredients for potions? What if this is all a huge joke? A way for the Dursleys to put my brother and I in our place - a way to remind us how small and unexciting we are? Then again, Dudley had no sense of humour, and neither did his prunes-for-parents. I find myself trusting this giant, although everything said so far seemed unbelievable.

Suddenly Hagrid comes to a halt. Harry realises and catches himself in time. I'm not so lucky and end up bouncing of Hagrid's back. "Lydia, yer right? Well, 'ere we are, then. The Leaky Cauldron. It's a bit of a famous place," Hagrid helps me up.

"That tiny thing over there?" I point, my finger aimed at a grubby little building. It's tucked away in the corner. I'm sure that if it weren't pointed out, Harry and I wouldn't noticed it.

"Ah, there's nothin' tiny about it," Hagrid winks, moving towards it.

"Lydia?" Harry whispers as we walk. I mention for him to continue and so he does. 'Do you think others can see it or just us?'

I watch the people moving past the shop in crowds. It's true - it doesn't seem like they see it at all. Their eyes glance from the book store to the music shop, not even focusing for a second on the old building.

Regardless of what Hagrid has told us, the building doesn't seem famous. It's old and dusty, grubby, dark and shabby. Famous just doesn't fit with this place. In the corner, people are drinking small glasses of what appears to be sherry. One smokes a long pipe, blowing smoke around the small room. Near the bartender, a small man with a top hat sits, drinking a glass of his own. I'm not sure what's in it, but it looks . . . green. I look to the bartender. He's toothless, bald and very similar to a walnut, where looks are concerned. As Hagrid steps further into the pub, people greet him with waves and shouts. They all seem to know him. "Hagrid!" the bartender smiles toothlessly. "The usual, I suppose?"

"Oh, no thank yer, Tom. I can't - Hogwarts business," Hagrid waves back, before putting his hand on my shoulder. I buckle at the knees. Harry chuckles.

Tom the bartender doesn't even spare me a glance however. He's focusing on Harry. "This is . . . it can't be! Harry Potter!" He hurries out from the bar and crushes Harry's hand in a harsh, excitable handshake. This time I'm laughing at him. "Merlin, bless my soul. Welcome back, Mr Potter."

Harry appears awkward. All eyes are trained on him and him only. The pipe smoker keeps puffing, apparently not realising there's nothing more to puff. Hagrid smiles cheerfully. "And here's his twin, Lydia!"